Atrani

Atrani which is 15 minutes away from Amalfi, is a world apart. Amazingly, it has none of the trendy resort like Amalfi and you will find relatively a few tourists, a delightful town square, and a free, sandy beach. Atrani is an ancient settlement where the nobility of the Maritime Republic of Amalfi had their residences and where the doges were crowned and buried. Atrani stretches along the valley of the River Dragon, so named because a legend says that a terrible dragon that spits fire used to hide there. Atrani is the smallest town in southern Italy for territorial extension. This place is amazing especially because of the enchanting beauty of alleyways, arches, courtyards, the squares, the “stairways” of homes, placed one upon another and the suggestive atmosphere of the evening. Atrani is really one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, in fact it has frequently been used as a film set for movies and commercials. Atrani is the only location to preserve intact its ancient character of small village of fishermen.

The houses face directly to the beach and gather around the square with the church of San Salvatore and the stone fountain. The respect and attention to the simple things of the inhabitants make Atrani a rare example of a balanced development of tourism.